Hillsdale’s Mariko Iinuma was the Peninsula Athletic League girls tennis singles champion last year as a sophomore.

This year she’s playing No. 3 for Hillsdale behind Cindy Liu and Natalie Spievack, a couple of ranked junior players who did not take part in high school tennis a year ago.

The threesome gives Hillsdale a formidable top of the singles ladder. The Knights defeated Menlo-Atherton 4-3 Thursday in their PAL opener. And Menlo-Atherton, more often than not, has been the PAL’s top team.

“M-A is not as good as usual but Hillsdale is wildly better,” said longtime Burlingame coach Bill Smith. “I don’t think anybody else has a chance. Hillsdale is the overwhelming favorite.”

Smith said Hillsdale ought to be able to do well in the Central Coast Section playoffs, as well.

“Having a player like Mariko at three puts you into the quarterfinals or semifinals,” Smith said.

Menlo School and Monta Vista are traditionally the top girls tennis programs in the CCS.

“Hillsdale is not as good in doubles, but they’re on a par with Menlo and Monta Vista at the top of the order,” Smith said.

— Glenn Reeves

Palo Alto girls volleyball team surprising its coach

When I called Palo Alto girls volleyball coach Dave Winn a couple of weeks ago, he wasn’t quite sure where his team stood among the area’s best. Winn mentioned Valley Christian, Archbishop Mitty, Menlo and Homestead, among others, but didn’t know about his team.

Two weeks into the season, Winn knows a little more and likes what he sees.

Last week, Palo Alto outlasted Presentation in five games and swept Sacred Heart Prep in three. The victories came on the heels of a third-place showing at Deer Valley tournament and improved Palo Alto’s record to 7-1.

Winn’s called the Presentation and SHP outcomes “huge.”

“I scheduled last week hoping that maybe we’d split with those private schools,” Winn said. “I didn’t know which way we’d go with either one of those. But to win them both, especially the Pres one in five, was awesome.”

Palo Alto returns to action Tuesday at home against the The King’s Academy.